White has a nice center, and the knight is coming back into play via e2. Black has no effective plan, and his position is quite bad.
16... f6d7 Black wants to play Nc5, but Ding will react very well against this plan. 17. c2d2 Removing the queen from the pin and preparing d3-d4. 17... f5g6 More hesitant play. 18. d3d4  18... e5e4 